lots and lots of pictures from the weekend.
three of the girls flew to kansas…two from california…one from alabama.
two of the girls drove from oklahoma.
the rest of the girls were local within 30 minutes.
three of us went to the airport to pick them all up…there were even some tears of joy upon meeting in real life.
craig is a super star and took all of our kids to his mom's for the weekend…with the stomach flu.
all the blogger girls stayed at my house.
i have lots of beds….a little known fact apparently.
everyone had their own mattress.
we must be mattress hoarders.
my dining room that turned into a game room decided to become a craft retreat lodge this weekend.
we fit in there so well!
all the sewing machines were on the pool table!
it was like the room was made for it.
on friday night we made our first craft led by julie.
we used this tutorial by little miss momma.
they turned out so cute.
almost everyone chose a different color.
you need to make this!
kimberlee didn't have on lipstick so we had her use her necklace for lipstick.
lots and lots of chit chat while we were crafty.
and i see waffle's paw at the bottom left corner of this picture.
he was by our sides every minute….loving the the attention from the ladies.
there was so much good food.
cindy made breakfast on saturday.
we got to sleep in….a requirement made by me.
don't you hate going places for a "retreat" and then have to be at breakfast by 7:30 am??
there was even a sweet little baby in attendance!
after cindy filled us with crepes with fresh fruit and quiche we loaded into a 15 passenger van to go antiquing.
we debated about decorating the van with bunting……
so fun.
we are any stores DREAM.
a van pulling up with 10 women to shop???
we were met with big smiles.
9 out of 10 ladies left with new found treasures.
cole with his mama picking out all the best doilies.
i took them to my favorite antique store…Bearly Makin It.
so much to choose from.
if you are in kansas….you should go.
heather found silverware for her party planning business.
a total score!
anyone need a milk jug???
loving the sunshine!
all the ladies took turns holding sweet baby cole.
it was our pleasure.
he hardly made a peep the whole weekend.
and everyone had envy of julie's gorgeous hair….it is soooo pretty.
on saturday in kansas we had a really odd extremely warm day.
we were so grateful for it.
can you guess what i bought from all these goodies? ha ha ha
after a sonic happy hour run we made it back to my house for more crafts.
the ruffle pillow tutorial heather taught us with is here.
3 women had never sewn on a machine before.
they ended up being ruffle making rock stars!
they did fantastic.
ashley's machine made the best ruffles…we all waitied for our turn on her machine.
no one knew what the secret was….but it worked….no gathering required.
i love being around people who love technology as much as i do….
threading a needle….
the third craft was embroidery hoop art.
we were given lots of examples that we could make or we could make our own design.
amy's was amazing.
we stayed up crafting and listening to frank sinatra on pandora and eating tiramisu until 2 in the morning.
kimberlee made breakfast on sunday.
there was frosting involved.
YUM.
another great thing about crafty girls weekends….women clean up.
always.
there were cameras everywhere.
and fabric everywhere.
dreamy.
and my brass lamps from the thrift shop. :)
there is a peek at amy jupin's ruffle pillow.
i am in love with the ruffle pillows…i want to make a hundred of them.
and her turquoise flower necklace is also in the picture.
these were all of our hoops together…not all finished but all together.
mine is the one right
here under these
letters.
trying to set up our cameras for a group shot….caught kimberlee being silly.
jana (no blog….yet) and amy jupin.
jess and julie.
ashley and cindy (also no blog….YET).
cindy came with ashley so she didn't have to drive alone and show up to a house full of women she had never met and be trapped with us if she didn't like us…
turns out we LOVED them both!
very much.
heather, cole and me.
amy (my neighbor) and kimberlee (my cleaning partner)
and that was that.
they went home with their suitcases full of new crafts, antiques, julie's messy flowers and full tummies.
and i haven't stopped smiling since.
God gave me blogging.
He gave me a gift that i get to continue opening when i meet new friends from all over.
God is so awesome.
my mind feels full of creativity.
my heart feels full of love and friendship.
my body feels too full of cinnamon rolls and cheesecake.
the retirement center has been missing me.
my bloggy friends left just in time….we are snowed in here and it's FREEZING.
my house has never been this cold.
i am bundled up in a blanket with many layers and hot coffee and i am still frozen.
Lorie - You are super crafty. I have been inspired to try so many new things lately. Knitting, Crocheting, Scrapbooking….. Keeps the mind busy.
Tanya H - We did these last night!!! Thanks for an idea becuase my daughter was pretty disappointed that we weren’t decorating for Valentines.
http://tanyastampsnthings.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentines.html
Kim - I have just recently started reading you blog and I just wanted you to know that I love the way you write, I love your ideas and thoughts and have moved you right to the top of my “must read” blog list.
leonie - Meg I did this craft with my class of 6 Non-verbal, Autistic boys yesterday, was a very fun tactile experience….. I do this activity at christmas time too…. bells and trees fill our windows beautifully, but I use cellophane then they are gorgeous leadlight windows xxx thanks for the idea…. I am sure their mums will love a little love on valentines day….. now any ideas for mothers day????
Mya - I <3 Annie and Talby is looking so beautiful in that photo!!! I love reading your blog ..so I finally started my own blog..Pls visit the blog and give me your feedback :) http://inlieuif.blogspot.com/
danielle - ps: i loved your comment about nursing. i felt the same wayβ¦like before someone told me that i could actually stop i didn’t even realize it myself.
danielle - need.that.print.
and what in the world i need to do these crafts!
Alison - I love your craft days with your kids! it has inspired me to do more of those with mine! My mom always says, they are arent going to remember how clean the house was, or if the laundry was always neatly done, they will remember how you made them feel. Craft days are just one of the many ways I am learning to connect on their level and make their little hearts happy and warm.Love that print. isnt Etsy the greatest?! π
thesnootiepig.etsy.com
crystal beutler - Super cute craft. You do the funnest stuff with your kids. π And, love the print, especially the scripture.
Jen - Talby is growing up so fast!
There are three days that I wish I lived in America – Valentine’s Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Though it’s not big down here, I think Lucie & I might do some heart work.. thanks for the ideas. x
Maggie - I love your necklace in the picture…where did you get? I’d love to get one and have seen them before but don’t remember where
vakantiehuis costa brava - Really a good piece of Art and craft.The heart is really beautiful.I will prefer this art and craft with my daughter too.
Jenny B. - Oh, I forgot to say… I’ve never noticed before how much Talby looks like you. I definitely see a resemblance in that close-up of her cutting the little heart.
Jenny B. - Oooh, I love this craft! I wish I already had all the supplies… and didn’t have 2 feet of snow everywhere so I could go get them! I also love your rainbow yarn! π
Tracy Fisher - Love your craft days. And how about that fabulous print you received. That verse says it all. I think I need to order one. I love when words fill my house… people that stop by always tell me they love reading the art in my home… hmmm… they are probably just being nice… but I will order one from her.
Keep up your craft days. I need an idea for a whole week off in two weeks.
Tracy Fisher (www.tfisherart.com)
Amanda - What a great simple craft! Thanks for sharing
Ry (AKA: LUCY) - WOW! WAY COOL!
Smiling
-Ry
Pamela M - So cute. We made a couple of valentine crafts – both using recycled crayons. Do you have any of those kicking around? lol!
If you want to take a peek, you can find them here. They were super easy to do.
http://derekpambaby.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html
http://derekpambaby.blogspot.com/2011_01_01_archive.html
Tess - Meg! Thank you for sharing the picture. I went to the Etsy site and bought the Risk picture – so excited to hang it in the house!
Amanda - I’m totally doing this with my kids this afternoon! Thanks for the easy and fun craft. My heart puncher should help me make hearts super quickly and hopefully this will bring up the spirits of my four year old daughter who has DOUBLE pink eye, DOUBLE ear infections and strep! Yikes!
Anne @ Baking Me - That heart is adorable, I want to make one and don’t even have kids π
elisa - I have one of those hanging in my window. He made it at school tho.
Jenna - Keep ’em coming … they are inspiration for me to get crafty on my snow day(s)!
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Oh, I love those scripture pillows! Stay warm and have a great day!
Christie - Thank you for sharing such wonderful faith based Etsy shops. I love seeing scripture and phrases incorporated in their art. It’s soothing.
colleen - Oooohhhhh! I love that print! That is a verse that i have prayed for our home many times… Have seen it once before in black and white painted on barn wood but I LOVE those colors! I live in Alabama and we have beautiful snow today – the kind that looks really pretty but the kids can still go to school for a full day! π I am having a “me” and cleaning day in my nice WARM house! Ahhhhhh!
elz - Cute craft. Might have to do this one with the girls this weekend…after we finish the class valentines!
Jessica - This is a great project! Definitely will be doing this one this weekend… π
Charlene @ Adventures In Mommy Land - My kids and I have done crafts similar to this one before. Your’s is Very cute! We love doing crafts too, we do them all the time (almost every day. when I’m not working).
jenn g - my son’s preschool class did this craft this week. they cut up small pieces of colored tissue paper for the center though. the little hearts are cute!
nora - super-cute craft! i’m going to try to adapt it to my 20-month old son, who is currently in love with glue sticks and gluing things, when we’re stuck inside for yet another bitterly cold weekend!
shannon - Love this craft…alas we have another snow day as well! If I had contact paper we would be making this craft….there is so much snow I can’t even get out of my driveway to get contact paper even if I wanted to! Thanks for the link to chrissie’s blog…I have now added her to my blogs….great etsy shop! π
Jodi - LOVE the hearts. :o)
Your girls are adorable!
And you’re right, crafts calms the soul….
And thanks for the info on Chrissie’s shop, I’m going to check her out now!
Christa aka the BabbyMama - Here’s a funny thing: My daughter isn’t old enough for anything involving scissors or glue or really anything other than drawing a line on some paper (and her attention span for that is about 2 secs). But I want to make some of these π
sara's art house - Super cute craft!!!! ANd I love Chrissie Grace π
candace - i ran across that esty shop yesterday….the rainbow pillow was on another blog and i fell in love.
i think it is the slowing down and “being in the moment” that can be so relaxing when creating. or watching kids as they create.
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe - love ’em both!! π
Sarah Mahan - Hey that idea came from my blog. I remember you left a comment on my blog. You are welcome for the inspiration. I feel honored that you actually used my idea.
Gemma @ Musings of a gem - Really love it..so pretty!
tara - Hi Meg…this isn’t the craft that you used, but I had this in my inspiration files for v-day crafts to try….
same kind of look…
http://cottagemommy.tumblr.com/post/3192337623/sweetandlovelythings-livingtheswelllife
Melissa - Today is a snow day and today we will make this craft!
Do you frame and hang all of these prints girls send you?? I mean, you could totally send some my way after you show them on your blog! :0) just kidding…maybe.
happygirl - I’m not much of a Valentine’s Day girl. π Heart just don’t send me and I should NOT eat the chocolate. LOVE the print. Is that your mirror in the print? I think the crafting you do with your children is wonderful. I love the pictures.
Shann - I used to make those hearts with my kiddos. I love them!! We would use different colored tissue paper for the little hearts in the inside. Then when you would hang them up in the light, they would look like stained glass. What a fun craft you made! π
se7en - Totally totally love your hearts!!! And I have to agree my kids crafts keep me sane… just pottering along with them slows the pace down and chills us all out… enough to live again… It is very refreshing to stop and be with my kids and chat like people rather than just working away being the command center!!! Definitely refreshing!!! Lovely!!!
Mary Beth - …and for the rest of their lives, they’ll remember a Mom that sat with them. And made Memories.
~Debra - Great craft! And that print is awesome!
Dana @ Bungalow'56 - Oh my goodness. Talby looks like she could be 16 in the third picture! Talk about a trip into the future. The hearts look lovely. I used to do a stained glass project with students for Christmas with tissue paper and black construction paper. This would have been much easier : )
Dana